Fresh Raspberry Almond Muffins

We love raspberries in our house. Usually we eat them so quickly they never make it into a recipe! But, I did have a ton of raspberries the other day and so I decided to do some baking. They turned out delicious, and I am sure you will enjoy them!

Fresh Raspberry Almond Muffins
6 eggs
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
8 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 and 2 tbsp coconut flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/2 cup raspberries (frozen is ok too)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix wet ingredients together (eggs, honey, vanilla, almond, butter, applesauce). Mix dry ingredients together (coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt). Stir wet and dry ingredients together and fold in raspberries. Spoon batter into lined muffin cups and bake for 18 minutes or until the top brown slightly.  Let cool slightly and enjoy!

Fresh Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

This was one of my first Paleo meals I ever made. I remember buying my first can of  coconut milk  and a jar of curry spice. Both were new additions to my kitchen and both have remained, getting frequent use. Your house will smell scrumptious when you whip up this diddy! 

Fresh Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
1 pound chicken cut into strips 
1 can coconut milk
4 cups broccoli
1 1/2 tsp curry
1 tsp grated ginger
Cooking fat (I used coconut oil)
Salt to taste
optional:
unsweetened coconut flakes

In a separate bowl add the coconut milk and curry. Set aside for later. In wok, or on stove top, heat oil. Add chicken and cook adding a little salt to taste. Set chicken aside. Add more cooking fat and clean and chopped broccoli (you will want the florets to be fairly small). Cover and cook for 3-4 min. Add chicken and milk mixture. Stir until warm. 


Optional: 
  Toast some unsweetened coconut flakes over med heat. When toasting flakes cook until they start to slightly turn colors:

Sprinkle over dish, serve and enjoy!

Paleo Mayo Help!

Struggling with your Paleo mayo? Check out Sarah's video to get a handle on your culinary skills. You will be whipping up your own concoction soon!

 

Saving Your Fresh Herbs

Do you have fresh herbs growing in your summer garden? Even if you don't local farmers markets have them in bushels ready for the buying! Ever wondered if you could FREEZE your herbs to use during the winter? Check out Kalyn's post on how to freeze your rosemary and thyme. Now you can enjoy those full fresh flavors in the upcoming months. Enjoy!

 

Refresh Your Paleo Tips

Every once in a while it is good to stop and think again what it was like when you first started eating Paleo. Remember how diligent you were, and had to be, to pre-plan your food? You prepared your veggies, and meats ahead of time, and found loads of success. But as time dragged on your healthy habits took a back seat to your busy life and you now find yourself off course. Check out these 10 Tips to help encourage you to get back on course! Remember you feel better, look better, sleep better and PR more when you are eating a balanced and healthy Paleo diet! Enjoy!

Grilling a Perfect Steak

Check out this video for some simple and helpful tips on how to grill the perfect steak. Not all cuts of meat are equal and should be seasoned and cooked differently. Enjoy!

The Skinny On Honey

I have been interested recently to discover there are different types of honey, and they all are unique in their flavors and sweetness. For a simple breakdown of the 3 most common types of honey, check out this post. The next time your recipe calls for a bit of honey, you may find yourself making a more educated decision and happy you did! Enjoy!

 

Skirt Steak Tips

I came across this awesome post about how to cook a skirt steak perfectly! I find that I usually overcook it, and it becomes tough little bits of meat. Not my fav. Her explanations and pictures are fabulous and hopefully you will be heating up your stoves with confidence and enjoying some delicious steak too!

 

Keeping Your Kitchen Clean

There is nothing that takes he joy of cooking away more than a dirty kitchen. I have to start with a clean pallet so to speak. Check out this post by Real Simple for a breakdown of things you should do and when to keep your kitchen clean. They also include the Shiny Sink 101- a "how to" for cleaning your kitchen sink.

 

 One thing I do that really helps is: I don't let go of an item until it is put away. So that means if I take my plate to the sink to rinse it off I don't just leave it there to pile up with other dishes. I put it in the dishwasher immediately.* If I take out the olive oil, I use it and put it right back. As I am cooking I leave the dishwasher open, rinse out a pan or bowl as I use it and put it away. This little step will keep the mess down and your kitchen clean. Say no to making "piles" of mail, dishes, spices etc.

 

 *I actually timed myself emptying the dishwasher the other day. Maybe it is my CrossFit mind taking over and doing everything "for time", but the reality was it ONLY took 3 minutes!!! So don't let your clean dishes sit there- empty it. . . quickly. . . 3. . 2. . 1. . GO!

 

Check out this shop for a cute clean/dirty magnet. We purchased one awhile ago and love it.

 

 

Cheers to a clean kitchen! Enjoy!

Cast Iron Help

I LOVE my cast iron skillet. I use it just about every time I am in the kitchen. The handle however does pose a bit of a problem as it heats up and makes it hard to handle. (ha-ha- excuse the pun). Check out these options for handle covers I found. Maybe you will find one you like and it will solve your dilemma too!

 

Simple Black

 

Leather

 

Silicone

 

Just For Fun

 

Happy Shopping- Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Chicken Salad Sandwich

Last week I baked up a HUGE 24 lb turkey. By the end of the week Mr. Man and I were getting pretty sick of turkey! I decided to whip up some biscuits and make one of my favorite fresh sandwiches. I used the turkey meat, but it would be easy to use chicken. The salad would also be delicious on slices of cucumber if you wanted to skip the biscuits.

Fresh Chicken Salad
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken/turkey
1/2 cup paleo mayo
1/2 cup unsweetened cranberries (you could also replace this with fresh grapes, or add both!)
1 apple, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1 Tbsp lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 tsp fresh chopped dill weed (if you don't have this on hand, dried works too)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and enjoy!

Flaky, Buttery, Biscuits
I found this recipe here. I ended up using 1/2 coconut flour and 1/2 almond meal because I was out of the blanched almond flour. It was still delicious, although you can see from my picture it doesn't look as "light" as hers does.

 

I served mine like an open faced sandwich. That way I could have more salad. :) They are very filling, which is always a good thing! Enjoy!

BBQ Top 10 Tips

Who should know more about the BBQing than Australians? I mean their catch phrase, "throw another shirimp on the barbie" is known all over the world! As the weather heats up out side we are all fireing up our grills. Check out this blog post about the top 10 BBQ tips in celebration of Australian Day. Hopefully this will make your next BBQ adventure even more successful! Enjoy!

 

Attention Coffee Lovers!

Yes, I was raised just outside of Seattle, so I guess that means I grew up on coffee. There are hundreds of coffee shops within a square mile here, all brewing that delicious black bit of heaven. Wondering how you can turn your coffee into a healthy drink? Check out this post for a list of 8 simple strategies. Get out your favorite mug and enjoy!

 

Fresh Carrot Muffins

I love a good carrot cake. On a special occasion, I will sit down and enjoy the little slice of heaven. Since I can't have them everyday, these little muffins are a great Paleo substitute. I love them because they have very little added sugar. They are simple to make and super moist. You could add some other dried fruit, like pineapple, or cranberries, but the recipe I posted just includes the raisins.

 

 

Fresh Carrot Muffins

1 c almond butter

1/2 can full fat coconut milk

2 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

zest of 1 orange

1/2 c raisins

3 carrots, shredded

1 tblsp vanilla

2 tblsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

pinch of sea salt

 

 

Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees.

 

In a bowl mix all the ingredients together. Scoop into a greased muffin tin and bake for 20-22 min. Let cool in pan before removing. Enjoy! 

 

 

 

Cauliflower Rice Tip

Before I came across this tip, I found that my cauliflower rice would end up a bit mushy at times. I just chalked it up to the fact that I was trying to make a vegetable into a "rice". Then I found this prepping tip and discovered that my "rice" doesn't have to be that way! Sweetness!

The next time you are prepping your cauliflower by chopping it up in your food processor, take an extra min to put the chopped "rice" in a microwave safe bowl and nuke it for three minutes. This will help to remove some of the moisture and make it more rice-like. Viola! Simple and helpful. Enjoy!

 

*Click on this picture for a great recipe for simple fried rice from Nom Nom Paleo. She doesn't nuke it first, but try it out for yourself and see what works for you. I still find that I need that extra step.

What is the Deal With Gluten Anyway?

Have you forgotten, or maybe never understood, the problem with gluten? Check out this simple and clear explanation by the Primal Docs. It is a good reminder to all of us of the reality that goes on when we eat any gluten product. Enjoy!

Fresh Mushroom and Beef Crockpot Stew

I have another stew that I have posted, but I found two recipes that looked delicious, so I combined them and viola- a new delicious crockpot recipe. The most important thing is to put the veggies that you don't want mushy on top of everything! This kept my sweet potatoes and carrots from turning into baby food.

Fresh Mushroom and Beef Crockpot Stew
2 lbs beef stew meat
1 package mushrooms, sliced in 1/2
1 sweet potato cubed
1 cup carrots chopped into inch sections
1 cup celery chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
1 cup pearl onions (place in boiling water for 3 min and then cut off ends and peel)
1 cup beef broth
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 tblsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt (more or less to taste)

Place mushrooms, garlic, onions and celery on the bottom of your crockpot.

Next, add meat and on top of that place carrots and sweet potatoes.

Pour all the other ingredients and spices over everything. Put lid on crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Enjoy!

Fresh Chicken Fried Rice

I took this recipe from my new FAVORITE cookbook: WellFed. I changed up the ingredients a bit, (originally BBQ pork fried rice) but the final result is amazing! Even your non-paleo lovin' friends will like it, and ask for more. And even if they don't  you will be happy to send them to the Chinese restaurant down to the road, and keep the leftovers for yourself (if you have any).

 

Fresh Chicken Fried Rice

1 large head fresh cauliflower

2 eggs

2 tsp plus 2 tbsp coconut aminos

coconut oil

1/2 onion diced

1 cup broccoli florets cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2-3 carrots sliced into discs

3-4 stocks of celery sliced

4-6 cooked chicken thighs (or more depending on your preference)

 

Rinse the cauliflower and break into florets, removing the stems. Place florets into a food processor and pulse until the cauliflower looks like rice. (It works better in smaller batches so you don't clog your food processor) Place rice in a microwave save bowl and nuke for 2 min. This helps keep the rice from being mushy.

 

Add 2 eggs and 2 tsp coconut aminos in a bowl and mix. Heat 1 tsp coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add eggs and stir until cooked thoroughly. Remove eggs and save for later.

 

In same pan add 1 tsp coconut oil and cook onions on medium-high heat until translucent. (Disclaimer- I like my veggies lightly cooked with the crunch still in them, if you don't, you may way to steam them for a few min before this step) Add broccoli, carrots and celery (or any other veggies you prefer) and saute for about 3 min, or until their color changes slightly and they are slightly softened. (Depending on how many veggies you have here, you may need to add more coconut oil so you don't burn them- use your discretion) Add another 1 tbsp coconut oil and increase heat to high. Add ALL ingredients, eggs, rice, meat, and 2 tbsp coconut aminos to your pan and stir for about 3 min, or until it is heated throughout. Remove from heat, plate and enjoy!

 

Optional topping ingredients: toasted sesame seeds, chopped fresh cilantro, lime juice, or chopped scallions.



 

 

Egg Decorating Tip

Well, it is Easter weekend and in case you haven't decorated your hard boiled eggs yet, check out these pictures for some inspiration:

 

Rubber Band Eggs:

 

 

No Mess- Sharpie Eggs!

 

 

Blackboard Painted Eggs:

 

 

 

And a genius trick for using traditional dye:

 

 

Happy Easter!!

Enjoy!

The Miracle Food

So often we take it for granted that our bodies are amazing machines! We are able to use the food we eat to do all sorts of complicated things. Our quality of life, our interactions with others, our ability to love and be joyful all come from the foundation of our bodies.

 

When I go home to these guys:

I often think, "I am going to treat them by taking them for a walk or to the park". When I buy them food or a snack at the pet store I hunt for all natural and healthy ingredients. Why? Because I love them! Because I care about their bodies and their health!

 

If you are pet owner, or a parent, you can relate to me. We find it to be a "no-brainer" to feed our loved ones healthy foods and encourage them to be active. Why then, do we overlook ourselves? We should love our bodies just as much, and feel just as happy to treat ourselves to good foods and healthy activities. The reality is it somehow becomes a "chore" in our own personal lives.

 

I hope today you are able to flip that switch! When you think about the dinner you are going to prepare for yourself tonight, get excited about it. Look forward to giving your body the miracle food of good nutrition! And when you think about your next trip to the gym, you should feel the same anticipation you would feel if you were to take your little ones to the park. (On a side note if you loathe the gym- find something else that is fun! Since when did physical activity become as dreaded as cleaning the toilets in your house? There are many ways to be active- rediscover your inner child and PLAY.)

 

Check out this article and testimonial about how our food can actually become a miracle for all sorts of pains and aliments. Stop poisoning your bodies and treat yourself to a healthy diet! You are worth it. Enjoy!

Fresh Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

I simply LOVE lemon. Any desert that has lemon in it will be at hit for me. My friend made these muffins for me awhile back and I was sold! They are easy, full of flavor and super moist. She got her recipe out of her Paleo Comfort Foods cookbook. I found a similar recipe here, and it turned out just a delicious!

Fresh Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs coconut flour
5 eggs
1 Tbs vanilla
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 medium sized lemons (juiced)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 tsp baking soda
Zest from 2 lemons
1 Tbs poppyseeds

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl, and dry ingredients in another. Add two bowl and stir until completely mixed. Place batter into lined muffin tins. Bake for 22 min. Enjoy!

Someday. . . When I Grow Up.

Someday, when I am grown up I will own one of these.

 

 

 And when I do, the food I will make will be so amazing! Until then, I will be content to enjoy the picture, and my not so amzing food (*wink-wink*). Isn't it just beautiful? If you own one, give it a hug and a kiss. . . from the Kitchen Beast. :)

It's Not You- It's The Cookie's Fault

Do you ever find yourself into a weird food rut? You crave the food that makes you less healthy? There may be a better reason to that than just poor self-control. Check out this post by Primal Docs for a more complete explanation. I love their points, and found myself agreeing as I read along. So maybe it isn't you that is the problem, it's the cookie's fault! :)

 Enjoy!

Fresh Paleo Granola

I feel like this recipe should come with a warning.
* This granola is so delicious you may want to hide it from yourself. :) JK. . . sorta.

Although this is easy to whip up, it disappears in 1/2 the time. I've made it for a friend, and put it in a cute mason jar with a ribbon for a little gift. It is always a hit! Feel free to play around with the nut/seed combination, but just be sure they total 5 cups. Also, be sure to use a good amount of slivered almonds as these take place of your "oats". I had a friend at the gym replace the honey with apple butter and had great results. I haven't tried that, but if you do, let us know how it works out!

Fresh Paleo Granola
5 cups nuts/seeds (i.e.: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pecans, slivered or whole almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc)
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup raisins (or any dried fruit - stay away from the ones with added sugar)
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Pre-Heat oven to 300 degrees. Mix honey, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Bring to boil and remove from heat. Let cool a bit. In a large mixing bowl place nuts and add contents of the sauce pan. Stir till everything is coated.

Spread nuts out on a greased baking sheet and bake for 30 min. Save mixing bowl for the end. Once nuts are finished baking, remove from oven and let them cool a little. This will help the honey mixture to thicken. Place mixture back into the mixing bowl, or a large gallon size bag. Mix in dried fruit and coconut flakes. (If your nut mixture dries too much, the coconut will not stick.) For best results, place in freezer as it preserves the ingredients and helps everything stick together.

Enjoy!

 

Nutrition in 60 Seconds

Have you come across the million dollar questions, "What diet are you on???". Every time I am asked this, I have a little *sigh* inside because I know the looming conversation with continue one of two ways.
1- I will encourage someone to check out a new way of eating (this is always exciting, but not the norm)
2- I will have a list of odd questions fired at me like, "Isn't quinoa is a healthy grain, where do you get your fiber, what about your cholesterol, how do you eat enough calcium?" That is usually the time I suggest they read It Starts With Food if they want more information, and try to back out of the conversation slowly.
Today, you can put a summative response in your back pocket for the next time you encounter a question asker, or a negative Nancy. Check out this post by whole9. It is nutrition in 60 seconds and is brilliant. I love their positive approach to healthy eating. When you explain your lifestyle to someone this way, it takes all the defensiveness out and it simply becomes about the information. Enjoy!

Make Your Own Spice Mix

It can be so disheartening to be at the store searching for a spice mix only to find most of them have added sugar or MSG in them. This Friday's tip is to make your own spice blend! Check out these simple combinations below and see where they take your next meal.

Five Spice Powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp fennel seed
1 tsp star anise
1 tsp peppercorns

Italian Herb Seasoning
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp sage

Chili Powder
3 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tbsp oregano
1 tsp red or cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Seasoned Salt
3 tbsp salt
2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp paprika
A dash or two of cayenne pepper

 

Whole30 Steak Coffee Rub

I have seen this recipe for a while now, and just never made it. We tossed together the spices last week and seasoned away. After some time on the grill the steaks were ready and we were in heaven. We made extra and are now ready for our next grilling session.

Whole9's Coffee Rub

1 tsp black peppercorns

1 tsp whole coriander

1 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa

1/2 tsp raw sugar (optional)

1 tsp freshly ground coffee

 

I multiplied this recipe by 4 so there would be enough for our next steak dinner. This recipe should cover 2 steaks.

- Sorry there isn't a picture- we ate the steaks up so fast there wasn't anything left to photograph!

Enjoy!

Celebration Time!

 You are getting to the end of your Whole30 and it is time to CEL-A-BRATE!!! I would imagine previously you may have chosen a big cupcake, glass of wine, or a meat lovers pizza to make this celebration happen. But you have changed, you realize that you actually LIKE the way healthy food makes you feel and you are ready for a different type of party. Today, make a plan for your "treat" that you will give yourself when you are done.

 

Maybe it will be some cool new shoes for the gym:

 

 

A sweet accessory for your new skinny wrist:

 

 

 

Maybe splurge on a knife for all the delicious Paleo food you will continue to eat:

 

 

Have some flowers delivered to yourself at work or at home:

 

 

Buy yourself some new bedding for the sleep you never knew you could have:

 

 

Go on an adventure:

 

 

There are millions of ideas out there besides the sugar covered, carb overloaded, cheat that will leave you feeling like this:

 

 

So the "tip" for today is treat yourself the best way you know how. Plan a celebration for the end of your Whole30 that won't leave you feeling sick and WILL leave you feeling like this:

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Whole30 Results Not What You Expected?

You did the program, marked off all your days and yet you didn't fiind the success you were looking for. What happened? Is the program wrong? Check out this post for the 6 reasons the Whole30 didn't work for you. Maybe it is time to revamp and start again. Your health is worth the journey of discovery, and with that comes disappointments and success!

Enjoy!

Fresh Balsamic Crockpot Chicken

On these cold winter days I find myself less motivated to cook and more motivated to eat. Really bad combo if you ask me. I don't know if it is the going to work in the dark and getting home in the dark that makes me feel like snuggling and less energized to be in the kitchen. Ya feel me? Yeah thought so. Crockpots to the rescue! This recipe is awesome too because it only takes a few hours to cook so if you decide to do a crockpot dinner later in the day, you still have time to enjoy it. I found the recipe here and followed it just how she had it. She has some great pictures and ideas for making this with chicken breast, so be sure to check it out if you are interested.

Fresh Balsamic Crockpot Chicken
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs - I used drumsticks, worked just a well
Sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley (optional- I wasn't a big fan of the parsley)

Combine the dry ingredients together and rub them on the chicken. In the bottom of your crockpot place the olive oil and garlic. Put in your chicken next and pour balsamic vinegar over everything. Cook on high for 4 hours. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over cooked chicken and enjoy!

Sweet Potato vs. After Work-Out Shake

There is so much hype out there about all these so called "magic workout drinks". The truth is real food is ALWAYS best! You can get more form a sweet potato and a glass of water after a hard workout than you can from the fancy drink some athlete was promoting on TV. Don't believe me? Check out this article for a further explanation.

Enjoy!

 

Sliced Baked Sweet Potato

Your tip for this Friday is a new way to bake your sweet potato. I wish I would have made more than I did, because they ran out too quickly! The outside gets a little crispy and the inside is tender and delicious. If you have ghee, be sure to use it! It makes this recipe scrumptious.

Sliced Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet Potato
Ghee, or clarified butter
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Paprika

Pre-Heat oven to 425 degrees. Wash sweet potatoes well. Slice potato as shown (3/4 of the way down)- be sure not to slice all the way through it. Place potatoes on a silpat baking sheet, or on parchment paper on a cooking sheet. Drizzle olive oil and ghee (melted) over top, letting it soak into the cuts. Add salt, pepper and paprika. Bake for 40 min, or until a fork goes easily into the sweet potato. Remove from oven, add additional ghee if needed. Enjoy!

Battling the Sugar Demon, Again

At this point in your Whole30 journey you are probably noticing your trigger points. The times in your day when you crave that sweet, or after dinner treat. Maybe you are like this reader who's tastes have changed, but her habits are still around. Check out this post by Whole9 to help you identify and slay your sugar demon, again.

 

Enjoy!

Fresh Crockpot Mexican Chicken Tacos

I recently found this recipe and gave it a try. My husband really enjoyed it, and although the recipe is a great base, I would suggests adding hot salsa to the mix to increase the flavor. Because of the chicken broth, it diluted the "heat" of the salsa and I found it a little bland. I did use it the next day by mixing it with mayo and made a "tuna-ish" mixture. It was delicious! Check out the comments on the site I found the recipe from for some other modifications.  

Fresh Crockpot Mexican Chicken Tacos
1.5-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup salsa of choice
1 can diced green chills
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp chili powder (more if you like some heat)
1/4 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp cumin
sea salt and pepper to taste
Butter Lettuce
Optional Toppings:
hot sauce
advocate
fresh cilantro - chopped
lime juice

Place chicken in crockpot. Mix ingredients in a separate bowl, pour over chicken. Cook on high for 6-8 hours. Shred chicken 30 min before serving and allow juices to soak into the meat. Wash butter lettuce and prepare toppings. Make little tacos using the lettuce as your wrap. Enjoy!

 

Fresh Take On Breakfast Muffins

I saw this trick on Pinterest and tried it out last week. It worked beautifully. The ingredients are flexible, depending on your taste, but it is easy and you can make a big batch for the week. I am posting it under our Friday "tips" because it really isn't a "recipe" just a cooking trick. :)

Breakfast "Muffins"
Lunch meat (I prefer Applegate at it is clear of added sugar and chemicals)
Eggs
Salt
Pepper

Optional:
Veggies of your choice


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease cupcake pan with oil of your choice.

In the cupcake pan place one piece of lunch meat in each cup. (My turkey was large so I cut it in half and layered it a bit)

Wash and chop your veggies. Place a few in the bottom of each cup. (I used tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms)

Crack an egg into each cup. Top with salt and pepper.

Bake for 15 min. Remove and let cool a little before removing from pan. Enjoy!

Fats and Calories

One of the toughest things for people wrap their brains around when switching to a Paleo way of eating is the absence of calorie counting and the acceptance that fat is good for you! Check out this blog post explaining these concepts. Fats are essential to a healthy diet and lifestyle! So bust out your coconut, and avocados. Good heath is on the way!

 Enjoy!

 

Fresh Beef and Veggie Chili

This month our gym is doing a Whole30 challenge. In honor of that, all my recipes this month will be Whole30 approved, and as always delicious!

This recipe was actually made for me by my friend. She tossed all these ingredients in her dutch oven (that was the most beautiful color of turquoise you have ever seen- I was drooling) and a few hours later after our pedicures and shopping trip we came home to an amazing dinner. I mean really, does it get any better than that? Shopping, pedicures AND someone else making you a Whole30 approved dinner. It was a perfect day. :)

If you are like me and don't have a dutch oven, you can still make this recipe in your crock pot. Just follow the same prepping directions and cook your chili on high for about 2 hours. Add your celery root in at the end still to avoid the mushiness.  

Fresh Beef and Veggie Chili
2 pounds boneless beef chuck post roast (cut into 3/4 inch pieces)
1 tablespoon oil of choice (coconut or olive)
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 jar (24 oz mild or medium, chunky salsa)
1 can (or 13 1/2- 14 1/2 oz organic beef broth)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 large celery root (cut into 1/2 inch chunks, you can also substitute sweet potatoes here or parsnips)
Toppings:
1 bunch chopped fresh cilantro
1 avocado

In dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cubes of roast and brown evenly. Pour off drippings if it is excessive.

Stir in salsa, broth, and chili powder. Cover tightly and simmer for 1 1/2 -1 3/4 hours, or until beef is tender.

Add celery root and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 15-20 min or until the celery root is tender.

Serve topped with fresh chopped cilantro and avocado.

You can also make this recipe into a soup by adding 3 cups of water with the salsa, broth and chili powder.

Enjoy!